Beginning as a paid-on-call firefighter in Batavia, Illinois in 1978, Mark Goodman has enjoyed a 40 plus year fire service career. Mark moved to Florida in 1980 to accept a firefighter position with the Tice Fire Department. He promoted to Lieutenant to create the agency’s fire prevention bureau. In 1983, Mark accepted the position of Fire Inspector for the Lee County Building Department. Achieving multiple certifications including Building Official, Mark promoted to Lee County Fire Official, responsible for interpreting and applying the Florida Fire Prevention Code. In 1997, Mark accepted the position of Fire Plans Examiner for the Bonita Springs FD.
Mark retired from BSFD as Fire Marshal to enter full-time pastoral ministry at Christ Community Ministries in Estero. Shortly thereafter, Mark became the Chaplain for the Estero Fire & Rescue District. Mark now serves Estero FD, San Carlos Park FD, South Trail FD, Lehigh Acres FD and Sanibel FD as Fire Chaplain. He is also a peer member of the Tri-County CISM team.
Mark is a Florida Fire Service Instructor III, and Federation of Fire Chaplain Instructor III. Mark is the Executive Director/President of FD Chaplain Services, Inc. and travels extensively teaching fire chaplains. He holds an AA in Fire Science & Technology from Harrisburg Area Community College, BA in Christian Education from Trinity College of the Bible and a BA in Leadership from Bellevue University.
Mark is a two-time prostate cancer survivor. He is married to his wife Donnitta of 28 years, and they have two adult children.